Baba's Simhasanam-Guru Poornima 2013 Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Austin
Sri Venkateswara Temple of Austin
(512) 528-0807 (Admin Office) (512) 260-2721 (Sai Temple)
(512) 986-7269 (Sri Venkateswara Temple)

SHANI TRAYODASI - THIS SATURDAY
SHANI PRADOSHAM - THIS SATURDAY
 
Dear Friends,

Sani Shringapur Shani Trayodasi is considered an extra auspicious day to worship Sani (see legend below).  It is when the thirteenth day of the lunar month falls on a Saturday.  This Saturday is also pradosham, an auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva.  Devotees can sponsor and take part in Shani homa, 10 am - 12:30 pm, Shani abhishekam (1 pm), and Rudra abhishekam (7 pm).  All these will bring relief from problems and peace of mind.  Visit SHANI to sponsor Shani events, and PRADOSHAM for Rudra Abhishekam.

Shani is usually considered a negative planet, but the opposite is also true.  In 2002, Jill and I were in India conducting a world peace yagna and inaugurating a Veda Patasala (school) in India.  When we went to take our leave, our teacher Pandurangaji asked us to stay one day longer to participate in a Shani havan. We agreed, and enjoyed the havan.  That night, we both had the same thought.  We had been working 6-7 days a week to build our business for the last ten years. We worked so hard! An astrologer would say Sani blessed us with the ability to work so hard. Now, we realized, we had enough money to retire!  Before the havan, this had never even occurred to us! Perhaps without the havan, we would still be working at our businesses today!  As it was, we retired from business the next year.  

People affected by Sade Sathi (7-1\2 years of Shani), and Shani Dasa appease Him by performing Havan, and A bishekam    with  sesame oil, to curtail the negative effects of Shani and get his blessings. Nakshatras affected by Sade Saathi are:
  • Chitra-pada 3-4/Tula rasi, Swathi-pada 1-4,      Vishakha-pada 1-3 (Tula/Libra Rasi)
  • Vishakha-pada 4, Anuradha - pada 1-4, Jyeshta -  pada 1-4 (Vrishchik/Scorpio  Rasi) 
  •  Mula nakshatra - pada 1-4, Purva Ashadha - pada 1-4, Uttara Ashadha-Pada 1 (Dhaur/Sagittarius Rasi.

It is highly recommended that individuals with the above stars be a part of the Homa and archana to negate the effects of Saturn.  It is not necessary to be present to sponsor.  To sponsor, visit SHANI SPONSORSHIP.


 

Please join us in this worship of Shani, who is very dear to us.


 

Aum Sai Ram,


 

Craig Sastry

SANI, HANUMAN, AND SANI TRAYODASI

One evening Hanuman was meditating before sunset, on a sea shore. At that instance the son of the Sun, Sani, thought that he was so powerful and that every human, Devata and Demon were afraid of him.  Sani with his ego came to the seashore where Hanuman was meditating. Sani thought that he will fight with Hanuman and will defeat him. Then Sani in his egoistic tone said that he is here and wanted Hanuman to stand up. Hanuman gently asked him to repeat what he just said and asked his particulars of why is he there and bothering him.  Sani arrogantly replied that he is the son of the most brilliant Surya and is super strong, called by the name Sani, and that all beings in the universe start shivering the moment they hear his name. He said that he wanted to test Hanuman's strength. He also warned him that he is coming into Hanuman's Zodiac to influence his future. Hanuman replied with humility that he is an old monkey and that he is meditating and asked him not to disturb him.  Sani, with pride, said that he cannot go without conquering him. Then Hanuman said with a humble tone that he doesn't have the ability to fight. Then Sani said in an insulting way that he is a coward and scared to fight with him. Sani started pulling Hanuman's hand.

 

Then Hanuman sarcastically laughed, saying that Sani does not understand when he was trying to give him advice.  Hanuman lengthened his tail and wrapped it around Sani's body up to his neck.  Sani tried to release himself from the tightened tail of Hanuman.  Hanuman meanwhile realized that he needed to perform Pradhakshinam around the bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka, where Lord Ram had once walked. Then Hanuman started to go around the bridge and hit his tail on the stones of the bridge. Even though Sani tried with all his strength to escape he could not succeed. Hanuman continued 108 rounds, hitting the tail on the stones of Rama Setu (bridge built by Rama). By these strokes Sani's body was severly wounded and started bleeding.  Then Sani prayed to Hanuman with a panicked voice, pleading with Hanuman, and agreed that Hanuman is great.  Hanuman was pleased with Sani's prayers and told Sani he will release him if he agrees not to enter any of Hanuman's devotees Zodiacs. With a moaning voice Sani agreed with the conditions. Then Hanuman released Sani from his tail. This happened on a Saturday on a Trayodasi.


 

Since then, to heal his wounds, Saturn desires abhisekam (an ointment) with sesame seed oil.  Therefore for those who  perform oil abhisekam to Saturn on Sani Trayodasi the radiation of Saturn will be cooled down and Sani will bless them.